I am a highly experienced ESL pro and am having problems finding work due to age discrimination. What is the situation like in the ROK? Is there an unofficial age ceiling for teachers?
Thanks for any input.

like there ain't discrimination anywhere you go holmes. you think that's not a factor 'unofficially' in the UK or the US? don't matter what those old forms say. they take one look at you and come up with something like "your overqualified sir"

ridgerunner6 wrote:

Is there an unofficial age ceiling for teachers?

my guess is if you look like your not in your twenties, you'll be hard pressed to find work. especially if you look like the bearded gent over on this post (see the picture at the bottom):

My advice? shave and leave the tie at home for the interview. learn some hip hop words._________________"You might be a redneck if you spent more money on your pickup truck than on your education." --Joe Foxworthy.

Koreans are gravitating toward hiring mostly women - my school refuses to hire young men because of various recent scandals plus what they've heard from other schools about the young men they've hired. However, they prefer younger women over older women - 30's is not a problem - 40 plus tends to be a problem. Older men have not had as much problem getting hired in the past - not sure if the "younger men" scandals have affected them too. Again, you'll just have to apply for more jobs. My impression is that universities are better - want a more diverse teachers' group.

Koreans are gravitating toward hiring mostly women - my school refuses to hire young men because of various recent scandals plus what they've heard from other schools about the young men they've hired. However, they prefer younger women over older women - 30's is not a problem - 40 plus tends to be a problem. Older men have not had as much problem getting hired in the past - not sure if the "younger men" scandals have affected them too. Again, you'll just have to apply for more jobs. My impression is that universities are better - want a more diverse teachers' group.

While it is true that there is some age discrimination in Korea ( and probably elsewhere), I did not experience it personally. I am a qualified teacher and posted my resume on several major EFL sites (following the advice I got on this forum). I am 51 years old, female, with a 1yr postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics from a major Canadian University. I got hired 3 weeks after posting my CV. Many Canadian recruiting sites I visited had a little line somewhere, mentioning that if the applicant is over 40, they would experience problems. I almost got discouraged then, but obviously, things are not as bad as they appear.

I was a single mom for many years. I decided that once both my kids were in college, I'd start my amazing career as an EFL teacher. Little did I know the descrimination I'd face. The school I chose said that it was easy for an American to get a job in Italy. American English, afterall, is rapidly becoming the 'world' language. Wrong! You have to have EU working papers to be employed in the EU. The Catch-22 is that you have to be employed in the EU before you can get EU working papers. The other item no one ever happened to mention is the age factor. I'm continuously told that I don't look my age and I have my photo on my cv (but not my birthdate.) I've had several offers from schools around the world until they saw the date on my passport, never to be heard from again. I'm only 47, but you'd think I was 100. Whatever happened to wisdom that comes with experience._________________Susie

... You have to have EU working papers to be employed in the EU. The Catch-22 is that you have to be employed in the EU before you can get EU working papers. ... Whatever happened to wisdom that comes with experience.

Well, if you aren't a U.S. citizen you need a green card to work in the States and try getting one of those without a job! You have to win a lottery, and not be born in Canada or the U.K. -among other countries - So I wouldn't complain about the EU working papers if I were you.

I don't think about age as a disriminatory factor in teaching, but then I go out and find my own students most of the time. I don't look my age either [ at least I didn't before I started to teach english but after four years living in a polluted environment I think I look at the very least 10 years older than I did when I arrived!

If you want to work in Europe, why don't you try Poland or Hungary or the Czech Republic? Not as sexy as Italy and Spain, but lots of work - and they'll take just about anybody willing to put up with them

As for age...I think I could say the same thing for Hungary. Mid age - thirties plus seem to be preferred here. That may be because the money is so bad, they are delighted that anyone over 19 would be willing to work for so little.
(I am being a tad sarcastic.)

I am in the middle years and I know I am in demand - and could do way more work than I have hours or inclination to do - providing I am willing to work for the money they wantt o pay - and there's the rub.

I feel my maturity and experience place me in a higher wage category than a younger teacher - yet I have to fight for that - and walk away from a lot of jobs because the schools don't get that they can get more for my services than a younger teacher.

Or they don't want to try to get more...

I would love to learn more about how things work with teachers in China.

I am dashing off now to some workshops here - music actually - but this is a topic of interest to me, so hope we can dialogue more early next week.

The avatar is a picture I took of an artefact
from the Shang Dynasty, unearthed in 1986
from the sacrificial Pit #2 of the Sanxingdui
site in Sichuan Province,40kms from where
I am based in Chengdu, south west China ...

I was let go from my job last year at age 45, I was not given any reason for it, and found out that they had hired a new college graduate in her 20s to replace me. The students were upset and worried about losing me and getting someone with so little experience. I have been job searching for over a year now with absolutely no results. People tell me I don't look my age (I look younger), but, once the administration sees my resume and graduation dates, I think it is all over. How do we find a job at this age when we are trying to pay for our own children's tuitions?

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject: Is it worthwhile to get into TESL at 57?

ridgerunner6 wrote:

I am a highly experienced ESL pro and am having problems finding work due to age discrimination. What is the situation like in the ROK? Is there an unofficial age ceiling for teachers?
Thanks for any input.

Readers,

This is a question from "Lisa," who emailed me first, who has the same question. If anyone can help her out, that would be great! (Lee)

Lisa wrote:

I just couldn't find any information on your website regarding age restrictions/limitations for TESL.
Now 57 and approaching that time of my life when i would love to travel and soak up the culture while at the same time earning my way, would you be able to comment on the obstacles I may face getting a job as a TESL teacher. I have a degree, worked in corporate world all my life and plan to take a CELTA course. Would it be worthwhile?

thanks for your feedback
Much appreciated
Lisa

By the way, Lisa, please also see the discussion about teaching ESL over 50 at this thread: